Alabama News

Southeast region

Enough to Eat

by Donya Currie - 6/01/2011

As food and gas prices continue to strain many household budgets, AARP Alabama is working to help older people who struggle to put food on the table.

As part of the national Drive to End Hunger, an April conference on aging at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focused on the issue of hunger among older state residents. Participants discussed possible remedies such as repealing the state grocery tax, finding grants to support food programs and funding more research to connect the dots between hunger and poor health.

More than 142,000 state residents age 60 and older are eligible for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps), but 75 percent of them are not enrolled.

Driving Out Hunger

AARP will be in Talladega, Ala., this month to cheer driver Jeff Gordon as he steers the No. 24 car not only in a NASCAR race, but also in the Drive to End Hunger.

Alabama is one of the hungriest states in the nation, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report, with 1.8 million households needing food assistance.

Because hunger is a growing problem among older Americans, AARP and the AARP Foundation have teamed with Gordon, Feeding America and others to increase awareness through the Drive to End Hunger. To get involved, give $10 by sending a text message with just the word "hunger" to 50555, donate to AARP's statewide food drive or visit createthegood.org/hunger to volunteer locally at AARP's Drive to End Hunger events. Learn more at aarp.org/al.

Walk This Way

by Donya Currie - 3/01/2011

AARP and the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute want to make the coastal towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach healthier and safer for year-round residents and tourists drawn to the area's white sand beaches.

A recent report recommends developing mixed-use, village-style areas and vibrant town centers; installing traffic-calming features such as landscaped medians, wide sidewalks, bike lanes and roundabouts; and adapting a hike-and-bike trail through a state park for use as an evacuation route during hurricanes.

AARP is working with government agencies and community groups to support the recommendations. Learn more at aarp.org/al.

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